Caveolin-1 up-regulates integrin α2,6-sialylation to promote integrin α5β1-dependent hepatocarcinoma cell adhesion

► Caveolin-1 regulates cell surface α2,6-sialylation via mediating ST6Gal-I expression. ► α2,6-Sialylation participates in the binding of integrin α5β1 and fibronectin. ► α2,6-Sialylated α5-subunit mediates integrin α5β1-dependent cell adhesion. ► α2,6-Sialylated α5-subunit is involved in modulating FAK signaling.